MacBook Pro vs. Dell XPS 13 ... Which one?

[francesco_zoso]

Hi all,
I'm currently facing the hardest question: 'Which laptop should I buy?'. I'm undecided between two models:
A ) 2017 Dell XPS 13'', intel i7 8th gen (8550U), 16GB RAM, 512 GB SSD
B ) 2017 MacBook Pro 13'', intel i5 7th gen, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD

My gut feeling, also driven by personal taste (and probably market), would lead me to pick up the Mac. But I'm still considering the dell, cause I recognize that on the paper it looks more performing. 

About the requirements: I'm a physicist, and about to start to write my PhD thesis, therefore the use would be mainly:
- A lot of tying (LaTeX) … ok, no big deal I know.
- Running some simulations on Matlab.
- Data analysis on Matlab/Mathematica (time to times with big sets of data)
- Plots and graphics (both 2D and 3D) for figures editing

However, let me also say that I'm interested in the field of Data analysis, and Data Visualization, so I might end up dealing with a lot of graphics design tasks in the near future (in one year from now).

What would you guys chose?

I'm mostly worried by the difference in the processor: 8th gen i7 vs. 7th gen i5, although Macs are generally more widely used in the graphics field (as far as I know).

Thanks in advance!
Francesco

[Geek-9pm]

Francesco, this choice is yours.

You have given resons to prefere the Mac software.
That is a compelling reson to consider the Mac
Finding a way to port  or replace the programs you use is a headace you do not need.

MacLab is no a trivial thing taht has  like  software on the Dell.
Is this the MacLab you mean?

The Mac-Lab* Hemodynamic Recording System is part of a comprehensive cath lab workflow infrastructure designed to help make you efficient, productive, and able to care for your patients effectively. From imaging to recording to IT, everything works as one. Clearly. Smoothly. Seamlessly.

The difference is performance between the two computers is not worth themetal strain and delay you will suffer trying to find the  functional software on the Dell.

Go with you first gut feeling. The performance is not the real issue. 

[Salmon Trout]

MacLab is no a trivial thing taht has  like  software on the Dell.
Is this the MacLab you mean?

I think he meant MATLAB, at least that's what he wrote.

[Geek-9pm]

I think he meant MATLAB, at least that's what he wrote.

My bad. 
(I just had my eye tooth pulled oput. I can't see what I am saying.  )

MATLAB (matrix laboratory) is a multi-paradigm numerical computing environment. A proprietary programming language developed by MathWorks, MATLAB allows matrix manipulations, plotting of functions and data, implementation of algorithms, creation of user interfaces, and interfacing with programs written in other languages, including C, C++, C#, Java, Fortran and Python.
Quote above is  from Wikipedia.

[Salmon Trout]

MATHLAB is a computer algebra system created in 1964 by Carl Engelman at MITRE and written in LISP.

It's not that either. MATLAB is not to be confused with MATHLAB.

MATLAB (matrix laboratory) is a multi-paradigm numerical computing environment. A proprietary programming language developed by MathWorks, MATLAB allows matrix manipulations, plotting of functions and data, implementation of algorithms, creation of user interfaces, and interfacing with programs written in other languages, including C, C++, C#, Java, Fortran and Python.

The name is written in all capitals.

https://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab.html

[Geek-9pm]

Corection made.   
That program is available also for the Windows OS.

[Mark.]

if either laptop runs the software you need, my money is on the Dell.
for no other reasons than sales, support, service, hardware/software compatibility, purchase price... OK, everything basically.

either unit should last you 5'ish years, so just don't think of its use in the next 12 months, but in 3 years from now.

if you have used Mac's before, that may swing you more in their favour.  it sounds like you are more than halfway down that path already.

this is one of those decisions you make, then 3 months after purchase go, "*censored*, should have bought the other one!"

[patio]

this is one of those decisions you make, then 3 months after purchase go, "*censored*, should have bought the other one!"

+ 1

[camerongray]

Both machines will perform well, obviously the Dell is more powerful on paper but the mac is no slouch either.  The main thing I'd say is to work out what OS you prefer since that will ultimately be the deciding factor between the two machines.

[whattherecord]

I'd go with Dell, but the decision is yours!

[patio]

Hasn't been back since Christmas...

[Mark.]

hopefully the OP is now happily using whatever he got.